I have a S&W .32 cal. Safety Hammerless. serial # 46XXX. Can anyone tell me if there is an over the counter or over the internet black powder cartridge I can buy to fire from this gun. It is in safe to fire condition, but was told these guns were for black powder pressures only.

Thanks,
Frank (mountianfire)

I have a S&W .32 cal. Safety Hammerless. serial # 46XXX. Can anyone tell me if there is an over the counter or over the internet black powder cartridge I can buy to fire from this gun. It is in safe to fire condition, but was told these guns were for black powder pressures only.

Thanks,
Frank (mountianfire)

Mountainfire,

I recently read in Backwoodsman magazine about how you can load .32s&w brass with BP and lead.310 ball. I'm not a reloader but it didn't sound difficult. Contact Charlie Richie at backwoodsmanmag.com, he should be able to help you since he is a collector of these old guns. I've also seen BP carteriges sold on cheaperthandirt.com under their ammo section.

Topbreak

mountainfire,

Nearly all revolvers chambered for .32 S&W (not .32 S&W Long) were made in the period of blackpowder. The only real utility if the cartridge is for the small top break, and others of the so called "Suicide Special" genre which were typically iron framed and relatively weak. As a result, all factory ammunition loaded for this cartridge is suitable for any of those revolvers in anywhere near reasonable condition.

Many (not S&W guns) revolvers for this cartridge have charge holes bored straight through, no shoulder, just like a .22. These will chamber the .32 S&W Long cartridge, but they should never be fired with anything but the .32 S&W, not Long or Colt New Police!